Desiree Yard, Dancer
You sort of have a Cyndi Lauper thing going on.
Oh my goodness, I get that all the time! Random people on the street will come up and tell me this and ask to take my picture. I didn’t even realize the resemblance till I moved here. They’ll be like, “You look like a young Cyndi Lauper but prettier.” I really want to meet her someday, so I can be like, “Look, I look a lot like you, maybe we should hang out or do a photo shoot together or something.” I once met someone at a party who babysat her daughter. I asked her for an introduction but never saw her again.
When did you move here?
In 2010, to be a dancer. I’m now part of a contemporary-dance company, and I dog-walk on the side. I take care of a Goldendoodle named Dave who belongs to one of Woody Allen’s producers. He knew I was in show business and got me an audition for the lead in the Bullets Over Broadway musical.
I assume you did not get the part?
No, I didn’t get it. But neither did Jessica Biel, so there!
Lightning Round
From: Sonora, California.
Neighborhood: Astoria.
Roommates: One.
“She was on So You Think You Can Dance. My brother is also staying with us on our futon right now.”
Rent: $775.
Favorite restaurant: Souen.
Favorite New York building: The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
First job in the city: Cocktail waitress.
Currently reading: A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle.
“It’s about elevating your consciousness. I love it so much I bought it for my sister who teaches yoga in Dubai.”
*This article appears in the September 22, 2014 issue of New York Magazine.
